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Is it better to take prebiotics alone?
Prebiotics (the food source for probiotics) can be very beneficial to the human host, thanks to the ‘bifidogenic’ effect that they have on the body: they increase the levels of friendly bacteria in the intestines. Everyone has a different bacterial make-up and therefore different types of prebiotics and probiotics (or combinations of both) will work for different people. Some people who may react particularly well to prebiotics include those who suffer from bloating and constipation.
At OptiBac we tend to offer either probiotics alone, or combinations of prebiotics and probiotics. Although prebiotics have a very positive effect on Bifidobacteria, they tend to be less effective in feeding other types of good bacteria such as Lactobacilli strains, and therefore it is often beneficial to top up your levels of beneficial bacteria as well as taking prebiotics.
For products with both probiotics and prebiotics, see For daily wellbeing or For a flat stomach for yourself, or For your child’s health for your children.
NB: High doses of prebiotics may cause temporary side-effects such as bloating or flatulence. This should cease within a few days; if it does not then consider reducing your dose of prebiotics and gradually building it up with time.
If you are still unsure of the difference between prebiotics and probiotics, and whether you should be taking one or the other, or both, read our article Probiotics & Prebiotics.